The Global Rebuild Begins
Opening Prayer
Sovereign Lord, I thank You for help given during the year that is closing. You are my hope for the year that is coming.
Read Matthew 4:12-25
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Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
“Turn, follow, fish”: this is the summons of the King!
Think Further
Jesus now sets up base in Capernaum (Mark 2:1; 9:33), fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 9:1,2) of a light shining in the darkness in Zebulun, Naphtali and Galilee of the Gentiles (15). The light of the world has now come (John 8:12). God is shaping history.
Jesus begins preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (17). Matthew ends his quotation from Isaiah’s prophecy just before the passage foretelling Jesus’ birth: a just and righteous Davidic king, one called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). Why? Perhaps because Isaiah 9:3-5 is full of war and violence. Matthew wants no misunderstanding. For those with eyes to see, however, in Jesus this king has arrived. His kingship will not involve war, but small beginnings (an embryo), love, healing and restoration: a servant kingship. This kingdom is God acting in history to make the world right, through Jesus. It is not a kingdom based on status, image, power, wealth or charisma; rather, it is one of service and humility. It would start small and insignificantly, but would permeate the world like salt in a stew, and grow to be the greatest of all belief systems. Jesus did not confront Pilate, Caesar or Herod, or woo Israel’s leaders; rather, he called the insignificant, the more insignificant the better! His team (us) is not an army for war, but for love.
He begins with four fishermen, crying, “Follow me!” This, with the summons to repent, is the King’s call to us too. The kingdom enters each human heart as one by one people repent, follow, and, as loyal subjects, yield to the King. He grants a new vocation, fishers of people. What does fishing look like? Jesus demonstrates. He goes among the oppressed, shares the Word and heals. This is our mission. What an honor to be summoned.
Apply
Take a moment. Reflect on the year. What have you learned? Are you following? Are you fishing? What needs to change for the year to come? Rise, and do it.
Closing prayer
Lord, I go forward into the new year with a new resolve: to follow Your simple marching orders. “Turn, follow, fish”! To You be the glory.
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